Network News: Use this network
A trusted network is something no entrepreneur should be without
A trusted network is something no entrepreneur should be without.
Make use of us. And each other
At 9others, everything we do comes back to one simple idea: your success requires the aid of others.
To be successful, you’ll need some help. And the best way to get help is to give first.
Over the years, thousands of founders have come together through 9others to share challenges, offer help, and make the kind of connections that matter.
These weekly ‘Network News’ posts are about news from the amazing people in the 9others network (you can share your news here btw) but today we wanted to remind you of the main parts of 9others and how you can get involved…
1. The good meals with 9others
“The meals with 9others were a great way to test feedback to what3words in the early days. More than that, using the 9others network I was able to source talent and recruit early team members”
Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder & CEO of what3words
On 8th December 2011 it all started with an idea.
What if we hosted deliberately small (only ever yourself and nine others), loosely curated and intimate dinners where founders come together to share a challenge and help each other out?
No pitching, no selling but a place to share the challenges of business with others who will challenge you, encourage you, and share their experiences, connections and perspectives.
Why come to a dinner?
By sharing your challenge you get it outside your own head and hear fresh perspectives.
By helping others you’ll get help in return.
You’ll make connections with other helpful people who could shape the future of your business.
🍽️ Want to join a dinner? Subscribe to 9others on Eventbrite here.
2. The Book: Find Your 9others
“This is the most practical business book I’ve read in a long time. What Matthew & Katie have done is take the insights from dinner with some of the smartest entrepreneurs in the UK and share it in a direct do-this-then-do-that way.
10/10 book. Get it. Thank me later”
Tim Armoo, Co-founder of FanBytes
After hosting the meals with 9others for over 10 years we wanted to get some of the lessons learned and stories shared
Find Your 9others goes through the 10 questions founders should be asking themselves as they startup and scale up, and includes challenges and successes ‘from the dinner table’ to help you find your way to success.
📖 Get your copy here.
3. The Podcast: Brilliantly Easy, Stupidly Difficult
“We’re all different, but we also have a lot in common. Not least, a desire to live a life entirely true to ourselves. To use our time in ways we won’t regret. Understanding that is easy. But it’s a lot more difficult to get to the end confident we made it happen”
Robbie Dale, Co-founder Today Do This
A podcast about the decisions we make and the lives we end up living.
In each episode, with Robbie Dale as your guide, you will hear the moments where some huge decisions feel brilliantly easy but there are also those stupidly difficult ones that ought to be easy. Guests include chocolate taster, an SAS soldier, a foster carer and someone who donated their kidney to a stranger.
If you like stories about founders, risk, luck, and decision-making, you’ll probably enjoy this.
🎙️ Listen here.
4. Founders Focus: A Weekly Space to Get Real Work Done
“New favourite way to start the week. I’m usually so chaotic on a Monday”
Founders Focus member
It’s easy to spend all day in meetings, emails, and endless distractions.
It’s much harder to carve out time for the work that actually moves the needle.
That’s why we created Founders Focus — a deep work session at the beginning of the week when you can focus on the important tasks and stay accountable.
📅 Mondays, 10am (UK time).
👊 Join, commit, focus, execute.
If you’ve ever felt like you just need one solid hour to work on what truly matters, this is for you.
🔗 Sign up here.
5. The 9others Slack Community
“Is anyone here a Stripe whizz? I have a product set up in Stripe and want to see it on my website -- how does it all link together?? Any got 10 mins to educate me” 🧑🏫
Matthew (pre-Founders Focus)
9others has been around for well over a decade now. Thousands of founders, operators, and investors have joined a meal at some point.
Everyone who’s been to a meal with 9others is then invited to join the 9others Slack.
This is where you can:
💬 Introduce yourself and connect with others.
❓ Ask questions about hiring, fundraising, or anything else.
🤝 Offer help — because what’s obvious to you might be game-changing for someone else.
It’s a place to tap into the knowledge, experience, and generosity of the entire network.
🔗 Join the Slack here1.
Upcoming meals with 9others
Wednesday 19th February — London — details and signup here.
Wednesday 26th March — London — details and signup here.
Tuesday 8th April — Manchester — details and signup here.
If you’d like to host in your city please email matthew@9others.com
If you’ve been to a meal with 9others and not had an invite to the 9others Slack please email matthew@9others.com